CDL Overview

If you are interested in applying for a CDL, you should first collar a Commercial Driver License Manual. You can either download it in PDF format or find one at any DMV location. This manual is crammed with everything you will need to know about a Vermont CDL.

You will need a commercial driver's license if you plan to operate any of the following:

A vehicle with a gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) of 26,001 lbs. or higher.

A vehicle designed to transport more than 15 passengers, which includes the driver, and any size vehicle that requires hazardous materials placards.

Many states make exceptions for farm vehicles, snow removal vehicles, fire and emergency vehicles, and some military vehicles.

Age Requirements

You must be at least 18 years old and hold a valid Vermont Class 1 operator's license to obtain a commercial driver instructional permit.

You must be at least 18 years old to obtain a commercial driver license and operate a commercial vehicle within Vermont (intrastate commerce).

You must be at least 21 years old to operate a commercial motor vehicle between Vermont and another state (interstate commerce).

You must be at least 18 years old to obtain a hazardous materials endorsement for intrastate commerce.

You must be at least 21 years old to obtain a hazardous materials endorsement for interstate commerce.

Commercial Driver Instructional Permit

A Vermont commercial driver instructional permit is needed in order to receive commercial driving instruction and on-road training. To obtain a permit, you must own a regular Vermont driver license and pass the knowledge (written) test for the CDL you are pursuing.

To schedule a written test, you must make an appointment with Central Scheduling at (802) 828-2085. If you pass, your permit will be valid for 6 months.

CDL Types

A Class A license allows you to operate any vehicle with a gross combination weight rating (GCWR) of 26,001 lbs. or more, provided the vehicles being towed have a GVWR of 10,001 lbs. or more.

A Class B license allows you to drive any vehicle with a GVWR of 26,001 lbs. or more, provided that any vehicle towed has a GVWR of 10,000 lbs. or less.

A Class C covers vehicles which carry hazardous materials that require placards, and buses that haul 16 passengers or more.

Applying for a CDL

Call Central Scheduling at (802) 828-2085 to schedule a skills test appointment. Be sure to call, because walk-ins will be automatically turned away. If you appear on your appointed time and pass the skills test, your $20 scheduling deposit will be applied toward your license fee. If you don't appear and fail to provide 48 hours notice, you will forfeit your deposit.

Federal Guidelines for Commercial Licenses

The Commercial Motor Vehicle Safety Act of 1986 was designed to improve highway safety. Its purpose was to ensure that drivers of commercial vehicles are qualified to drive them, and to remove unsafe drivers from the highways.

The Act didn't require federal driver licensing―states still license commercial drivers―but it established minimum standards that states must meet when issuing commercial driver's licenses (CDLs). It required states to upgrade their existing programs to follow the new federal standards.

Before the Act was passed, many commercial vehicle drivers operated vehicles they were not properly trained on or qualified to drive. Even in states that had separate license classes, drivers were not necessarily tested in the types of vehicles they would be driving.

States must now test commercial drivers according to federal standards, to ensure that drivers know how to operate the trucks or buses they intend to drive.

The Act also made it illegal to have more than one driver's license. You can hold a regular or commercial driver's license, but not both. You can have one license from the state you reside in, but not from any other states.

In the past, bad drivers could more easily hide their driving histories by getting several licenses. Today, all the states are connected to a national database to check driver histories.

CDL Classes for Every State

To be eligible for a CDL, you must have a clean driving record. Federal regulations require you to pass a physical exam every 3 years. To operate a commercial motor vehicle in interstate commerce, you must be at least 21 years old. Many states allow those as young as 18 years old to drive commercial vehicles within the state.

The different classes for Vermont commercial driver's licenses listed earlier in this article match the federal guidelines.

Endorsements

To be licensed for certain types of commercial vehicles, extra testing is required. If you pass, you will receive an endorsement on your CDL.

T―Double/Triple Trailers (knowledge test only)

P―Passenger (knowledge and skills tests)

N―Tank Vehicle (knowledge test only)

H―Hazardous Materials (knowledge test only)

S―School Buses (knowledge and skills tests)

Requirements for Medical Certification

In the interest of public safety on the highways, Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) regulations require interstate commercial drivers to be medically fit to operate their vehicles safely and competently. You are required to have a physical exam and carry a U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) medical certificate if you operate a CMV over 4,536 kgs. (10,000 lbs.) in interstate commerce.

You must carry a current copy of your medical examination certificate with you when you drive.

Minimum Training Requirements

There are no federal standards in place for on-the-road commercial driver training. The government only requires that you take and pass your CDL knowledge (written) and skills (driving) tests. Longer-combination-vehicle (LCV) drivers must receive training in driver wellness, driver qualifications, hours of service, and whistleblower protection.

Vermont's commercial driver's manual is a good place to learn basic information, but you will need to be professionally trained to drive a commercial motor vehicle.

In order to pass your driving skills tests, you will need to learn how to inspect vehicles before driving, learn how to couple and uncouple tractors and trailers, and have plenty of practice driving. This includes driving in different conditions and on different road surfaces, turning, parking, backing up, and braking.

Many motor carriers train their employees, while other drivers take courses at private driving schools, vocational or technical schools, and community colleges. Individual states often approve or certify training courses. The Professional Truck Driver Institute (PTDI) has set minimum standards for training curriculums and certifies driver training courses that meet industry and Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) guidelines. Many employers require their drivers to take PTDI-approved training.

Hazmat Background Checks

Under the USA PATRIOT Act, commercial drivers transporting hazardous materials (hazmat) must pass a background records check and be fingerprinted. The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) is responsible for conducting the background checks for all commercial drivers with hazmat endorsements or who want to add hazmat endorsements to their licenses. The TSA developed this program to carry out the USA PATRIOT Act mandate and protect citizens from the potential threat of terrorists using hazmat cargo.

If the TSA disqualifies you because of your background, you can appeal their finding or seek a waiver. However, if you are found guilty of a disqualifying crime, you must declare any disqualifying conditions and surrender your hazmat endorsement (if you already have it) to your state's Department of Motor Vehicles or other licensing agency.

Applying for a Hazardous Materials Background Check

After you get a CDL, apply for a background check from the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) if you'll be obtaining a hazardous materials endorsement. You may do this online or by contacting a TSA agent. They will ask for:

Your CDL or CDL permit number.

Proof of legal status.

Proof of Identity.

Next, the TSA will ask you to go to a fingerprint office to give your fingerprints. The TSA and the FBI will conduct background investigations. Since Vermont is considered a TSA Agent state, you will pay:

$38 for fingerprints.

$34 for the TSA background check.

$14.50 for the FBI background check.

The TSA attempts to finish background checks within 30 days. You will be notified by mail. If you are approved, you can then go to your state's licensing authority (wherever you got your CDL) to complete your hazmat application process. If you are denied, you can appeal or seek a waiver.

Hazmat endorsements must be renewed at least every 5 years.

Your state might require renewal more often.

Get a new background check each time you renew your hazmat endorsement.

You must arrange for the background check no less than 30 days before the expiration of your current approval, or your CDL may be canceled.

Disqualifying Crimes

Conviction of any of the following crimes will disqualify you from being eligible for a hazmat endorsement:

Terrorism

Murder

Assault with intent to murder

Espionage

Sedition

Kidnapping or hostage-taking

Treason

Rape or aggravated sexual abuse

Extortion

Robbery

Arson

Bribery

Smuggling

Immigration violations

RICO (Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act) violations

Unlawful possession, use, sale, distribution, or manufacture of an explosive device, firearm, or other weapon

Distribution of, intent to distribute, possession, or importation of a controlled substance